Rona the Ribbiter

  • Shop
    • Books and Quilt Patterns
      • Books
      • Patterns
      • Pattern CORRECTIONS
    • Traveling Quilter Collection
    • Gadgets and Notions
    • Clearance Items
    • Wholesale
    • My account
    • Shopping Cart
  • Watch
    • Quilter’s Community
      • What is the Quilter’s Community?
      • Behind the Quilts Podcast
      • LIVE with Rona & Stefan
      • Tutorials
      • Group Discussions
    • Traveling Quilter Show Notes
    • Quilt Babble Live
  • Quilt
    • Bucket List Challenge
    • Quilt Shops in the US
      • Quilt Shop Spotlights
    • Project Posts
    • Quilt Shows
    • O’er at the Pond
  • Travel
    • Planning
    • Budgeting
    • Health & Safety
    • Road Trips
    • Airline Travel
  • Meet Rona
    • About
    • Contact Ribbit
    • Upcoming Events
    • Hire me!

November 12, 2022 · 2 Comments

The History of the Dresden Plate Quilt Block

Fun Facts· Germany· International· Quilting· Travel

How a simple creators mark became one of the world’s most popular quilt blocks

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
  • Share via Email Share via Email

If you look at the images of Dresden porcelain plates, it might be difficult to discern right away how these incredible works of art were somehow turned into the world famous quilt blocks we know of today. This would be because the Dresden Plate quilt block has nothing to do with the delicate paintings on the top of these porcelain plates. Instead, they have everything to do with what’s painted on the bottom.

Dresden Germany | Ronatheribbiter.com

The Dresden Porcelain

Located in Northeast Germany lies the city of Dresden. If you were a painter, sculptor or artist of any kind during the Victorian era, Dresden was the place to be. It was, by many accounts, an important center of the ‘romanticism’ movement. Being the capital of Saxony and so close to the nearby city of Meissen where the porcelain was made, it gave rise to hundreds of ceramic decorating studios throughout the 19th century.

Dresden Germany art history | ronatheribbiter.com

Today, many people think of the Dresden plate or the Dresden figurines as an actual person or company. The truth is, the term really defines the artistic movement as a whole. An ‘art deco’ if you will. Many of the famed Dresden porcelain pieces were created by a group of painters: Karl Richard Klemm, Donath & Co, Oswald Lorenz, and Adolf Hamman. This group did not actually make the porcelain. In truth, they purchased the pieces created in nearby Meissen then painted their artwork on top.


Get the FREE Ultimate Quilter’s Bucket List Checklist

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    The “Dresden style” became so popular it was hard to tell one artist from the next. So, to set their work apart from all the other porcelain artists in town the group of men created and registered their own mark or “trademark” called the famous blue crown Dresden porcelain mark.

    Dresden porcelain | Ronatheribbiter.com | Dresden plate history

    Under the umbrella of this mark, the four painters created an array of exquisite porcelain dinnerware and figurines. They also used the process of “porcelain lace” on many of their figures. It was one sure fire way to know if you had a true Dresden piece.

    Did you know…

    Porcelain Lace is the practice of dipping real lace into the porcelain then firing them.


    What does this have to do with the Dresden Plate Quilt Block?

    Even though the Dresden Plate quilt block pattern did not become popular until the 1920’s, it doesn’t seem the block actually began as the full circular pattern.

    History of Dresden plate quilt block | ronatheribbiter.com

    Going back as far as the late 1800’s, the Dresden Plate Fan was used in quilt examples. Many seeming to be made of wool, then later of cotton. They were pieced and appliqued. Eventually, four of the fans were put together to make the full Dresden Plate quilt block circle we use today.

    Sadly, during the allied bombings of WWII, many of the original work and records are lost to history. However, we do know that the original blue crown mark included 2 or 3 “petals”. 


    • Traveling Quilter Books
      Traveling Quilter Books
      $14.95 – $39.90
      Select options
    • Quilted Keychain Pattern (PDF)
      Quilted Keychain Pattern (PDF)
      $5.00
      Add to cart
    • Water Crystals pattern
      Water Crystals Quilt Pattern
      $12.00
      Select options
    • Spring Bucket List Challenge
      Quilter’s Bucket List Challenge – Spring Workbook
      $9.95
      Add to cart
    • stargazer pattern
      Stargazer Quilt Pattern
      $12.00
      Select options

    Due to so much of the history being lost during the war, there is no real way to prove the blue cross Dresden porcelain mark was the true inspiration for the Dresden Plate quilt block we know today. Or, perhaps the mark was inspired by the block. Either way, based on the timeline and popularity of the Dresden style, it stands to reason the two could very well be linked.

    Dresden plate fan placemat | Ronatheribbiter.com

    What are your thoughts on the origin of the Dresden Plate quilt block? Have you made a Dresden quilt? You can share in the comments, share it in our Facebook group or even send me an email. I love hearing from you!


    RELATED POSTS:

    • Complete lists of Quilt Shops in the US
    • Complete list of Quilt Show around the World
    • Planning a Shop Hop road trip? Start HERE!
    • Grab my FREE Tote bag pattern!
    • Join the Quilters Bucket List Challenge!

    Do you know someone who would love the Dresden Plate history? Click the buttons below to share with your friends! Then be sure to join us in the Traveling Quilters group on Facebook for more travel adventures!

    • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
    • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
    • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
    • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
    • Share via Email Share via Email

    more on the blog

    AR quilt shops
    Complete List of 44 Quilt Shops in Arkansas

    Continue Reading Complete List of 44 Quilt Shops in Arkansas

    Quilt Shops in Washington
    Complete List of 113 Quilt Shops in Washington State

    Continue Reading Complete List of 113 Quilt Shops in Washington State

    FL Quilt shops
    Complete list of 83 Quilt Shops in Florida

    Continue Reading Complete list of 83 Quilt Shops in Florida

    Complete List of 196 Quilt Shops in Texas

    Continue Reading Complete List of 196 Quilt Shops in Texas

    OR Quilt shops
    Complete Listing of 77 Quilt Shops in Oregon

    Continue Reading Complete Listing of 77 Quilt Shops in Oregon

    Massachusetts quilt shops
    Complete List of 43 Quilt Shops in Massachusetts

    Continue Reading Complete List of 43 Quilt Shops in Massachusetts

    NY Quilt shops
    Complete List of 101 Quilt Shops in New York

    Continue Reading Complete List of 101 Quilt Shops in New York

    AZ quilt shops
    Complete List of 50 Quilt Shops in Arizona

    Continue Reading Complete List of 50 Quilt Shops in Arizona


    Books, Patterns, Shirts, Mugs and more!

    • Traveling Quilter Books
      Traveling Quilter Books
      $14.95 – $39.90
      Select options
    • Life Happens, Quilting Helps Quilting T-Shirt Unisex
      Life Happens, Quilting Helps Quilting T-Shirt Unisex
      $25.00
      Select options
    • Traveling Quilter T-shirt - Unisex
      Traveling Quilter T-shirt – Unisex
      $25.00
      Select options
    • Traveling Quilter 18 oz. Travel Mug
      Traveling Quilter 18 oz. Travel Mug
      $25.00
      Add to cart
    • Quarter Inch Club Quilting T-Shirt Unisex
      Quarter Inch Club Quilting T-Shirt Unisex
      Sale Product on sale
      $25.00 $20.00
      Read more
    • English Paper Piecing Travel Kit
      English Paper Piecing Travel Kit
      $44.95
      Add to cart
    • quilt ruler set
      Sassy Quilting Rulers Set
      $39.95
      Add to cart
    • Got Fabric Pin
      Got Fabric? Collector Pin
      $9.00 – $25.00
      Select options

    About Rona the Ribbiter

    I'm Rona! I’m an author, pattern designer, teacher and Vlogger with a passion to see and experience all that life (and quilting) has to offer. Using travel to stitch life's quilt one adventure at a time!

    Previous Post: « How Thimbles are Made
    Next Post: More Than a Hobby, Quilting is Therapy »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gregory says

      November 23, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      My aunt and grandmother had pieced a Dresden plate quilt top stitched by hand. I assume it was for my aunt’s trousseau. After my aunt passed, my dad was at her house as the children were clearing out the house. He spotted the quilt top on a pile that was destined for the landfill. They let him rescue it and then gave it to me. I’ve started hand quilting the top and hope to finish it for my niece. It is huge (I’ve never really measured it) and it has an ice cream cone border. I think about what my grandmother and her daughter might have talked about in the 1930s while piecing the quilt. Maybe they talked about Dresden.

      Reply
      • Rona the Ribbiter says

        November 29, 2021 at 3:41 pm

        What an amazing memory Gregory. Not to mention a fantastic heirloom. Thank goodness it was saved from the landfill. I know you’re putting all your love into finishing such a treasure!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to the Pond!

    I’m Rona! I’m an author, pattern designer, teacher and Vlogger with a passion to see and experience all that life (and quilting) has to offer. Using travel to stitch life’s grand quilt one adventure at a time! Learn more…

    Follow me on Social Media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    what is quilters community
    YouTube Cover Traveling Quilter
    quilt babble cover
    2023 quilt show list
    quilters bucket list
    • Contact Ribbit!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms
    • Wholesale Orders
    • Hire Me!

    Copyright © 2023 · Ronatheribbiter.com ·

    This site uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to my Cookie Policy. ACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT